The seminar began with a welcome address by Prof. R.V. Rajakumar, Director IIT Bhubaneswar by formally inviting Prof. C.N.R. Rao onto to the dais with a bouquet of flowers and a short presentation on the Guest of Honour.   

 

Prof. V.R. Pedireddi gave a brief biographical account where he highlighted on the achievements, academic accomplishments and research by Prof. C. N. R. Rao.

 

Prof. Rao began his speech by reminiscing his younger days, especially his college days and about the time when he completed his masters at an early age of seventeen. He spoke about India’s freedom movement and how he became a part of those times. It had been his lifelong dream to make a name, nationally and internationally as well. Hence he worked very hard to achieve it. He said that, doing research is easy but picking up the right subject holds more importance because that will help you to achieve your goal. Good work doesn’t need anything. It is the architect who actually gets the credit and not the man who raises the brick to fix it up. Taking the right road is very important was what Prof. Rao emphasized upon.

 

Prof. C. N. R. Rao, shared many experiences about his life through interesting anecdotes. He went on to emphasize on education by elucidating that any foundation is based on strong education and it is this education which serves as the very crux of growth and progress. Prof. Rao also mentioned anger as one of the dangerous qualities which can hamper ones growth. He jocularly added-“never fight with wife because that can lead to a different day altogether” and it is anger that spoils the quality of work and performance. Prof. Rao also quoted Swami Vivekananda who had once said, “Leave anger, greed and jealousy because they are the root cause of a person’s downfall and stunted growth”.

 

‘Time’ was another subject that Prof. Rao stressed on. He reiterated that it is essential to value time, and time once gone will never come back again; therefore time is very precious and must be respected. He also cited about the success that comes after failure. He said, if there is no pain then there is no gain and hard work coupled with sincerity is the talisman for success.

 

Prof. Rao also shared with the audience about the difficult times of his life and how he remained undeterred in times of adversity. It was those moments that motivated him to take a gigantic step for the cause of humanity when he and his wife decided to give away fifty percent of his earnings to children who are interested in studying and building up a career with some purpose. He exclaimed that life is not hunky-dory! Many people in this world will pull you down, lots of suffering will prevail to get that one elusive thing called ‘success.’ but one should be strong enough to withstand all the difficulties that come on the way.

 

Prof. Rao concluded with the idea that “science is a wonderful virus” which has affected him all his life.  He ended his address in a lighter vein, by remarking that he curses all present in the auditorium with this virus. The auditorium resounded with laughter as the audience cheered and clapped to their hearts content. He said that one must first sow the seed and from there on life begins to take a direction. Therefore, it is imperative to create new things in ones lives- “Decide what you want and what you have in your mind, and that will take you to achieve your aim”.

 

The seminar concluded with the Director felicitating Prof. Rao with a memento of appreciation.

Prof. C. N. R. Rao, FRS (Linus Pauling Research Professor and Founder President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore) has honorary doctorates from 60 universities from around the world and authored around 1,500 research papers and 45 scientific books.